During the past couple of weeks there has again been escalation between the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas and the nation of Israel. On July 9th there was a new report on Foxnews that started with the title: What would you do with just 15 seconds? The following quote from that article frames up that question (web link for the article is at the end of the blog):
"Imagine that wherever you live in the United States you have only 15 seconds to reach a secure place to avoid a rocket or missile. Seriously, count down from 15 to 1, and think about what you would do. For more than 3.5 million Israelis, Jews and Arabs, their mental stopwatch is ticking as Hamas extends the reach of its barrage from Israeli communities near the Gaza border to Hadera, 26 miles north of Tel Aviv."
In the Bible, 1 Samuel 20:3, we read of a conversation between David and the son of King Saul, Jonathan. Saul has gone ballistic toward David, motivated by jealousy, pride, and anger the King is seeking to kill the young man. David makes an observation that is sometimes lost as we read the stories about his life ...
"But David took an oath and said, "Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death."
15 seconds. One single step. The brevity of life.
In the past several weeks I've officiated at two funerals of long time friends at Grace Church. Death is a reality for all of humanity, unless Jesus comes back before that moment. And death comes much quicker and more sudden than most of us want it to or expect it to.
I know that this subject isn't on every one's top ten list for topics of conversation. But it is reality and a reality that we must face - someday. A few simple questions for you today ...
"What preparations have you made for that moment?"
15 seconds is not a long period of time, but each of us will have that amount of time tick down on the clock of life --- for one reason or another. Now, I'm not totally ready to hear the words ... TIME IS UP (I have some things on my Bucket List that I would like to take care of). But I am prepared in most of these areas ... are you?
1. Have you given ownership of your life to God and asked His forgiveness for your sin? That means we must repent and believe (in the sense of commitment) in His Son Jesus.
2. Have you prepared a will or trust to deal with your estate and belongings?
3. Have you filled out a "Going Home Paper" at the church and have it on file in the office?
4. Have you provided for the future of God's ministry and your family by investing in a life insurance product?
5. Are you living a life that will be fondly remembered by others after you are gone?
